Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-16
THE LIBRARY MEETING.
A Large and Enthusiastic Attendance

anu OClrr1ng Speeches.
The Grand Opera House was well file
last evening by an intelligent. attentive an
hignly interested audience to take part j
the preliminary proceedings instituted b
the ladies OF the w. C. T. U. OF this city 70
the purpose OF esta blishing a free library i
Butte.
Mrs. K. I. Rankin, President of the Uniol
called the meeting to order and nominate,
the Hon. w. A. Clark chairman.
long list OF Vice Presidents were the
elected:
Mr.. brennan was elected secretary.
The chair invited the Vice Presidents t,
seats upon the stage which was graced b,
he presence OF 3 large number of the promi
nent ladies of the city.
When order was restored Mr.. Clark ex
planned the object OF the meeting, frs
thanking the audience for the honor con
ferred upon him in naming him as the pre-
siding Offices of a meeting called for such 6
noble purpose. He felt eratified at the ap
parently suspicious beginning of the en-
terprise. He considered it one ofthe greatest
movements ever undertaken in Butte fol
the cultivation and enlightenment of it,
people. While Butte can boast of the finest
| Uiu AAOoO VOuJHICVC Su1C1U1uk DlhuLS duU 8Il
yer mills in the country; while
it can point with pride to it's large and ex.
cellent public schools, it's commodioue
churches, it's Grand Opera House, it's fine
halls and club rooms. it was the only city
of it's size, wealth and population in the
country which did not have q public Ii.
brary. He was surprised that it was So,
and the only excuse for it was found in the
fact that it's people had been so absorbed
in their respective businesses they found no
time to attend to the matter. But the
time had now arrived when it became nec-
essaryt to inaugurate an enterprise of this
character. The eyes of the reading world
were turned toward Butte. The fame
their wealth, is attracting the
attention of thousands, and many are
coming here to make the place their future
home. A public library was an essential
factor to retain and to gain a desirable
class of people. The speaker was one of
the founders of the Helena library, and he
gave an account of it's small beginning. 1t
now contained 1000 volumes, and was one
OF the most notable institutions of our
sister city across the range. He spoke of
the civilizing influences OF a public library,
and OF it's inestimable benefits to the
youth OF the country.
we OW0 IL 10 Ourselves, COQUluueO Gl6
speaker; we owe it to the stranger who
comes in our midst. we owe it to our chill
dren, and above all we owe it to the youths
of the city whom we should endeavor to
lead to higher and more refining enjoy.
ments, to aid the noble ladies engaged in
this work OF establishing a public library
in our midst. In concluding his eloquent
speech Mr.. Clark made an earnest appeal
to the people of Butte and vicinity to unite
in the great and beneficent work.
A gospel hymn was then sung. Mr.. H. J..
Blume leading and Mrs. H. j. BIume pre-
at the piano, after which an eloquent
prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr.. Couey,
which in burn was followed by music by the
orion band.
Judge Hiram Knowles was then intro
duced by the chair who delivered a most
address. The Judge paid a
tribute of praise to the ladies who
were engaged in the work of establishing a
free library in the city. He said when men
falter, women come to the front, and cited
the completion of Bunker Hill monument
and Washington monumect as instances
the courage and devotedness OF NO.
men awaited where men faltered and failed,
the ladies had taken the initiative in an
other great work. They would succeed.
He urged that it was books
and study that gave ancient
a prominent place in history. It
was learning that gave Rome of the Caesars
power to rule the world and civilize man. |
Literature preserved what man had achiev- |
ed in the domain OF science, craftsmanship |
and law. Good books were a ource of ill.,
,piration and infused ambition and hope
Ind love of the truly great and beautiful in
The minds OF the young. He cited the works
Of Sir Walter Scott. Uncle Toms Cabin
the literature of Rudolph as evidences
If this fact. It is now proposed to place
these and other works before the youth OF
city. 1t al a noble endeavor and
be crowned with success. It would
De the means of educating not OILY the
7oung, but the adults of our population.
He thought We should do better in Butte
han they did in Helena where they have a
library of 1000 with only the pitiful sum
If $500 a year to support it. In conclu-
ion he urged the audience to lend it's aid in
he matter and build up a public library in
Suite.
The chairman called for Col. J. C. c..
That gentleman who was sit
ing in..the dress circle rose to speak, but
he audience insisted he should 60
lpon the stage and kept up such
clapping of hands that he could not be
The Colonel finally took the stand
md delivered q stirring impromptu ad.
lress. He said he did not come to speak
lor was he prepared to, but before tho
concluded the audience was led to
'elieve he needed no preparation to speak
Ipon such subjects. His address was re-
with sound sense. happy illustrations
nd pointed references. He awarded a
ust need Of praise to the noble ladies who
the enterprise. They had the
to lead the men in this matter,
nd he expressed his admira-
ion for their devotion to the
God cause. Hundreds of men
n Butte needed just such a place-a re-
reat where they can enjoy the companion
hip of books and social converse with
aen. It would keep them out of bad
and bad company. Books made
cen libraries established all over the
forth and the South where men could
and become acquainted with like sub.
ects and like authors, it would have Gre
ted a common feeling, and the late fratri-
strife which caused so much blood
he'd would have been averted. He held
hat Germany and France, which are CRAWL
ating toward war. would be upon friendly
erms if they were better acquainted. They
'ere noble people, but in the
of a common literature and q
ommon language they were comparative
strangers and disposed to quarrel. In con-
Iusion the eloquent gentleman warmly
rged the audience and the people of Butte
nd vicinity to take hold If the matter and
ssist the good ladies in building up a
.eat and glorious institution.
The Hon. W. Y. Pemberton was the
ext speaker introduced by the chair, Mr..
emberton did not deem it necessary to
~ anything concerning the enterprise. {
addressed itself to all and I
,mmended itself to all. A library I
as much needed here. The !
orld was in a gallop after wealth, forget ]
ng the cultivation of the heart and the t
ind. A public library was designed to
lpply the intellectual wants Of the people I
their exhaustion in their mad race '
n gold. He believed the ladies had started 8
bout all the good enterprises in the world. 6
Iithout women salvation would be impos- /
BILE for man. Noting the value OF libraries I
3 spoke of the earlier times when men
long distances to gain access To '
ooks, and how they profted by them. a
ooks are cheap and plentiful now. Wei
lould rave them here in a public library 7
nd many idle men would be l
,joying them. But where are i
lose men now? asked the speaker. S
Connerinp the lack in sOme OF the gam t